The photograph below shows General Douglas MacArthur wading ashore on the island of Leyte in the Philippines:

A black and white photo shows a group of seven uniformed men walking out of knee deep ocean waves after disembarking from landing craft, which are seen in the background. In the center of the photo is General Douglas MacArthur wearing an officer's cap and aviator sunglasses.
Public Domain

Why was this event a significant step in the war in the Pacific?

It brought the U.S. military within air-strike range of mainland Japan.
It was the first time the United States had captured territory from Japan.
It showed that resistance to the U.S. advance on Japan was largely over.
It marked the victory of the U.S. over Japan.